A film about missile launches in the United States. The American flag at half mast. Troops assembled on a ramp and Brigadier General Harry J. Sands Jr. Vice Commander of the Air Force Missile Test Center (AFMTC) speaks at the memorial services for the late U.S. President John F. Kennedy on 25th November, 1963. The night launch of an Interplanetary Monitoring Platform (IMP) satellite, test no. 6900, using a Delta launch vehicle on 27th November, 1963. The launch of a Centaur II, test no. 5175 on 27th November, 1963. A map of Cape with new name Cape Kennedy.
Adlai Stevenson addresses the United Nations Security Council regarding the build up of missiles in Cuba. United State Navy ships form a blockade to stop further missile delivery to Cuba. In Cuba, soldiers operate anti-aircraft guns that have been set up on the waterfront Cuban soldiers hold their posts on streets, tops of buildings, and on posts all along sea shore. Fidel Castro addresses a public demonstration. Cubans seen marching. Signs in the crowd include, 'Apoyamos Lucha Contra El Imperialismo' and 'Adelante Fidel Venceremos' High powered reconnaissance cameras are fitted to a plane. A plane flies to take reconnaissance photos of Soviet bases in Cuba. Views of aerial photographs showing aircraft landing strips and missiles in Cuba. United States Marines arrive at Guantanamo bay. C-124 Globemasters in background. View of the Organization of the American States Building. U.S. Secretary of State Dean Rusk addresses the gathering. Exterior view of the United Nations building. Soviet representative Valerian Zorin address the Security Council.
Beauty pageant contestants compete for “Miss Cuba” contest. Cuban beauty pageant contestants walk along a garden path and pose in their swimwear attire. Contestant number one is chosen as the winner of Miss Cuba- Cuba’s representative at the International Beauty Pageant in Miami, Florida. Male judges stand around her as Miss Cuba smiles and a woman takes her measurements with a tape measure.
Title card reads, "The United States Breaks Diplomatic Relations with Cuba." View of the United States Embassy building (55 Calzada, La Habana, Cuba) in Havana, Cuba. Crowds gathering outside the United States Embassy in Havana, Cuba. Family of African descent outside American Embassy. A woman of African descent holds her baby outside the United States Embassy. Two women in the American Embassy. A door in the American Embassy written in Spanish reads, "Aviso Cerrada-La Seccion De Visa Hoy" (Attention, Visa section closed today). Women leaving the American Embassy. A Catholic nun leaves the American Embassy. American citizens leave the United States Embassy. Staff load boxes into truck as Americans leave the United States embassy. Americans follow a man, with shades, outside United States Embassy. Americans board bus as they depart Havana. A Cuban female soldier guards the United States Embassy building.
USAF Major General Reuben Columbus Hood Jr. visits Cuba during his goodwill tour. An USAF F-86 as it flies in low over beach, makes a climb. Spectators watch diamond-shaped formation of the Thunderbirds. The formation as it banks and completes a barrel roll. Several views of the Thunderbirds performing. General Hood and President of Cuba, Fulgencio Batista y Zaldivar. Views of the president. Views of the secret Police. American flag flying full mast, palm tree in the foreground. Several views of spectators. The Cuban flag flying full mast. Coast line of Havana, Cuba. Street scene along the beach area of Havana, Cuba.
Statue of José Marti, designed by Enrique Luis Varela and sculpted by Juan José Sicre, at foot of Marti memorial monument in Revolution Square, Havana, Cuba. The Cuban flag on the Ministry of Interior building, across the square. Camilo Cienfuegos addresses people and Fidel Castro smiles in Havana, Cuba. A procession by people. Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos with others sitting. President Manuel Urrutia comes with others. Soviet vice-prime minister, Anastas Mikoyan, steps from Soviet plane. He meets President Urrutia. Mikoyan wearing a straw hat with "Cuba" written on it. Fidel Castro and leading revolutionary figures attend a formal reception for Mikoyan. A signboard reads 'INRA Cooperative Arroceru Jose Smith Comas Zona H-10 Cardenas'. Farmers in field with their cattle. Fidel Castro addresses the press. Cuban workmen handling lumber at a construction site. A board reads'Instituto Nacional de Ahorro y Vivienda,' and announces the construction of a planned city of 300 homes. Women parade holding rifles. The French freighter La Coubre exploding on March 4,1960, while being unloaded in Havana harbor, Cuba. Scenes of explosions and fire as people run to escape the area. Fire fighters trying to extinguish flames, and similar events are captured by the camera. Post accident scenes of Castro speaking to the populace and of mourners walking along the street in Havana. (Note: This French ship was carrying munitions from Antwerp.Approximately 100 people were killed and twice as many injured in this terrible accident.)